Opening Remarks & Greetings

Ms Lynette Seebaran Suite SC

President, Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago

Lynette Seebaran Suite SC is an attorney at law and family practitioner with more than 40 years of experience in Family litigation. She is an activist and researcher in the women's movement and has championed many a campaign, including for the introduction of domestic violence and sexual offences legislation in Trinidad and Tobago.

She led the ASPIRE project for abortion law reform over 14 years from 1999 to 2013. Lynette was the recipient in 2012 of a National Award for Women in Development, Gold, in the field of Law.

She is past Chairman of the Port Authority and past Board Member of the Trinidad Publishing Company and the National Commission on the Status of Women. Lynette currently heads the law firm of Lynette Seebaran & Co. She is the former head of the Trinidad and Tobago Family Law Association and a former member of the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago. Lynette was also the Chairman of the Equal Opportunity Commission from 2014 to 2020.

For her services in advocacy and public education on gender and human rights for vulnerable groups, Lynette was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of the West Indies in November 2021. She is currently the President of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and has served in this capacity since 2023.

Moderator & Presenter

Mr Ravi Rajcoomar SC

Attorney-at-Law, Head of Invictus Chambers

Introduction of the Keynote Speaker

Mr Ravi V. Rajcoomar SC is a distinguished attorney-at-law and the Head of Invictus Chambers. Called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 1987 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2023, he brings nearly four decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation. His practice has included appearances before the Magistrates’ Court, Industrial Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and courts in other jurisdictions, including Barbados, Antigua, and the United States. He has acted as instructing attorney, junior counsel, and lead counsel in a wide range of matters, including serious criminal trials, fraud, money laundering, land disputes, judicial review, and appellate proceedings.

Beyond his courtroom practice, Mr Rajcoomar SC has contributed significantly to the development of the legal profession in Trinidad and Tobago. He has served as a Commissioner of the Securities Exchange Commission and the Law Commission, lectured at the Hugh Wooding Law School and the University of the West Indies, and participated in several committees of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago. He has also contributed to legal scholarship through publications, including work on money laundering, and has provided guidance and support to students, newly admitted attorneys, and members of the profession. He currently serves as Chairman of Presidential Insurance Company.

Keynote Address

The Hon. Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago Mr Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh

Chief Justice, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

The Honourable Mr Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh was appointed Chief Justice of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago by His Excellency Wade Mark, Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at the President’s House, Port of Spain on October 22nd 2025.

The Honourable the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh was admitted to legal practice in October 1992. He is an honours graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School.

Mr Justice Boodoosingh has served as a Course Director at the Hugh Wooding Law School since 2001 while maintaining private practice in both civil and criminal law. He has worked in both arenas and rose to the position of Senior State Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He previously served as a member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association and as National Coordinator of the Access to Justice Project of the Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations.

In September 2007, Mr. Justice Boodoosingh was appointed Puisne Judge of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago, where he presided in both the Criminal and Civil Courts. After thirteen years of distinguished service on the Bench, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal on September 14, 2020.

Mr Justice Boodoosingh has extensive experience as a lecturer and trainer in law across a range of organisations. He has authored and co-authored several publications, including The Complete Advocate, Advocacy in Point Form, the Law Made Simple column in the Guardian newspapers, and Ethics and Advice for Advocates.

In addition to his achievements on the Bench, he holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree with Merit in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London. He is also certified as an Adult Education Trainer by the University of the West Indies, an Advocacy Trainer by Gray’s Inn, and a Judicial Education Trainer by University College London.

Mr Justice Boodoosingh has designed and conducted numerous training programmes for a wide range of professionals, including lawyers, law students, police officers, immigration officers, court personnel, and educators. Through these initiatives, he has contributed significantly to the professional development of justice sector stakeholders locally and across the region.

He has lectured at the Hugh Wooding Law School for over 24 years, during which he served as Director of the Trial Advocacy Programme and taught courses in Ethics, among others. He also founded the Human Rights Law Clinic, which provides practical training and advocacy opportunities for students in the area of human rights.

Justice Boodoosingh is married and has one daughter.

Moderator & Presenter

Mr Ian Benjamin SC

Advocate Attorney-at-Law, Head of Bethany Chambers

International Rules-Based Order Panel

Presentation: Sanction in the Region

Ian is the head of Bethany Chambers and practices as an advocate attorney before the superior courts of Trinidad & Tobago, and occasionally Dominica, Anguilla, Grenada, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines and very occasionally the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the Caribbean Court of Justice. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2018.

Ian serves as a volunteer director of several not-for-profit entities in Trinidad & Tobago. Ian has taught law at Kingston University (formerly Polytechnic), England, the University of Sydney, Australia and at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Presenter

Mr Joshua Hamlet

Attorney-at-Law

International Rules-Based Order Panel

Presentation: Sanction in the Region

Joshua Hamlet is a Senior Associate in Collas Crill's Litigation and Dispute Resolution team in the British Virgin Islands. Called to Trinidad and Tobago Bar and Eastern Caribbean Bar, he has a growing litigation and advisory practice which covers international commercial arbitration, enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign judgments, multi-jurisdictional shareholder disputes, unfair prejudice claims, injunctions, winding up petition and liquidation related litigation, restoration, forum and conflict of law issues, judicial review and constitutional claims.

Joshua has appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago and has assisted in matters before the Privy Council. In the BVI, he has appeared before the Commercial and Civil Division of the High Court. He has also acted as a tribunal secretary in regional arbitration disputes. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrations and serves on the Branch Committee of the Caribbean Branch.

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) and a Master of Law with Distinction from Queen Mary University of London, which he completed as a Chevening Scholar. His research interests focus on sanctions and enforcement issues in international commercial and investment arbitration, including the evolution of the intra-EU enforcement challenges.

Presenter

Ms Sophie Stanbrook

President-Elect of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association & Co-founder of Stanbrook Prudhoe

International Rules-Based Order Panel

Presentation: Protecting Lawyers, Protecting the Rule of Law

Sophie Stanbrook is the President-Elect of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and a co-founder of Stanbrook Prudhoe, a Caribbean law firm serving clients across the Commonwealth Caribbean.

With more than 25 years' experience in corporate, commercial, finance and regulatory matters, Sophie began her career in private practice in the City of London before moving into in-house legal roles with Merrill Lynch and AIG. She subsequently returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she has built a regional practice advising governments, investors, financial institutions and private clients.

Sophie is admitted to practise in England and Wales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guyana and the British Virgin Islands. In addition to her role as President-Elect of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, she serves as Vice President for the Americas and has been actively involved in the Association's work on the rule of law, human rights, and the protection of lawyers across the Commonwealth.

She is a committed advocate for the advancement of women in the legal profession and is a frequent speaker on issues affecting the rule of law, legal institutions and the future of legal practice in small jurisdictions.

Presenter

Dr Timothy Affonso

Attorney-at-Law & Lecturer

International Rules-Based Order Panel

Presentation: A World Order of Silence: International Law Dominated by Power

Dr. Timothy Affonso is an attorney-at-law with 20 years’ experience. He is a former State Prosecutor; a national scholarship winner and a Chevening Scholar. He is a Lecturer (On Leave) in the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies and his research interests include public international law, post-colonial laws and international human rights with a focus on vulnerable groups.

He is an Associate Tutor in Trial Advocacy and administers the Constitutional Law and Law and Legal Systems courses at the Hugh Wooding Law School. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the UWI St. Augustine Law Journal.

He currently is the Administrator General, International Law and Treaties in the Office of the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago and is also a member of the Law Reform Commission of Trinidad and Tobago.

Presenter

Ms Hannah Hylton-Edwards

Attorney-at-Law & Lecturer

International Rules-Based Order Panel

Presentation: The Principle of Non-Intervention vs the Protection of Human Rights: Conflict or Compatibility in International Law

Hannah Hylton-Edwards is an attorney-at-law who has been in practice since 2020. She is admitted to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, with a practice focused on family law, civil litigation, and transactional non-contentious matters.

In addition to her legal practice, Hannah serves as a lecturer at The University of the West Indies, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her work combines practical legal experience with academic engagement, enabling her to contribute meaningfully to both the legal profession and legal education.

Moderator & Presenter

Mr Christopher Hamel-Smith SC

Attorney-at-Law, Partner Emeritus at M. Hamel-Smith & Co.

Artificial Intelligence/ Regulation of the Legal Profession Panel

Presentation: Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Justice in Trinidad and Tobago

Christopher is Partner Emeritus in the Dispute & Risk Management Department at M. Hamel-Smith & Co. (Trinidad & Tobago) and a Partner at Hamel-Smith Caribbean (Barbados). He primarily handles significant commercial and public law disputes.

Christopher handles significant commercial disputes, particularly matters involving Intellectual Property, Information and Communications Technology, e-Commerce, Employment, Banking and Finance, and Admiralty and Antidumping, and writes and presents extensively in the field. He also previously served on the Committee that developed Trinidad & Tobago's first national e-Commerce policy.

A keen supporter of using appropriate alternative dispute resolution processes, Christopher is on the panel of mediators maintained by the Dispute Resolution Centre of the Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Commerce. He also collaborates with the Institute of Business at the University of the West Indies in providing negotiation skills training for business executives.

Presenter

Mr Mark Bissett

Commercial Partnerships Manager, LexisNexis

Artificial Intelligence/ Regulation of the Legal Profession Panel

Presentation: If AI does the Work, What Exactly are We Charging For?

Mark Bissett is Commercial Partnerships Manager at LexisNexis, with over 20 years of experience helping law firms and government organisations harness legal technology.

He is uniquely responsible for driving strategic collaboration and efficiency across the Caribbean legal fraternity, supporting the adoption of AI-powered solutions.

The Caribbean has emerged as the fastest-adopting region globally within LexisNexis for legal technology, reflecting a strong appetite for innovation and transformation across its legal community. In response, Mark has delivered countless workshops across the region over the past two years, working closely with attorneys to help them navigate the practical challenges of implementing the right legal technology for their needs.

Presenter

Mr Jason Nathu

Attorney-at-Law & Senior Tutor II

Artificial Intelligence/ Regulation of the Legal Profession Panel

Presentation: Fifty Years on, the Future Lawyer is still Human: Why Clinical Legal Education is Critical in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Jason Nathu is an attorney-at-law admitted to practice in Trinidad and Tobago in 2006 and Guyana in 2023, with experience in intellectual property, civil litigation, family law, conveyancing, and estate matters. He currently serves as Senior Tutor II and full-time faculty member at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), in the Legal Aid Clinic which provides legal representation to persons of limited means, while simultaneously providing students with rigorous, immersive experiential training and learning.

At HWLS, he also supervises the Human Rights Law Clinic and the Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Clinic, and lectures in the Law Office Management and Technology course. He is a former member of the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, serves as Vice-President of the American and Caribbean Law Initiative, and is an academic member of the International Trademark Association.

He holds a BA in History and an LLB from the University of the West Indies and an LLM in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London. Jason is an active researcher and commentator on law and technology, with a particular focus on intellectual property, artificial intelligence and access to justice in small jurisdictions.

Presenter

Ms Kavita Deochan

Attorney-at-Law & Tutor, Hugh Wooding Law School

Artificial Intelligence/ Regulation of the Legal Profession Panel

Presentation: Fifty Years on, the Future Lawyer is still Human: Why Clinical Legal Education is Critical in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Kavita Deochan is an attorney-at-law called to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Laws degree from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, and a Master of Laws in Public International Law from the University of London.

Ms. Deochan is presently an Attorney-at-Law and Tutor at the Legal Aid Clinic of the Hugh Wooding Law School, where she supervises and trains final-year law students in advocacy, legal drafting, client counselling, ethics and litigation practice through live client representation and clinical legal education. She is also actively involved in preparing and coaching students for the Lex Caribbean Inter-Law Schools Client Interviewing Competition and has contributed to the development of advocacy and professional skills training initiatives within the legal education sphere. She has contributed to regional legal education and judicial initiatives and was part of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) research and writing team responsible for the development of the Criminal Bench Book for Barbados, Belize, and Guyana and the Criminal Bench Book for The Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Ms. Deochan is passionate about advocacy, clinical legal education and law reform, and has been actively engaged in initiatives promoting human rights education, gender equality and access to justice throughout the Caribbean.

Moderator

Ms Ria Mohammed

Attorney-at-Law

Taxation and Labour Law Panel

Ria is an attorney- at- law in The Chambers of Mr Rolston F. Nelson, S.C. She is also a consultant in the Tax and Legal Services Department at PwC Trinidad and Tobago. Ria holds a Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours (UWI Cave Hill), a Legal Education Certificate of Merit ( Hugh Wooding Law School) and a Master of Laws (Harvard Law School). She has been called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago and to the Bar of Guyana. Her work has been widely published in local, regional and international law journals.

Ria has a keen interest in the rights of persons with disabilities, domestic violence and women’ s rights. She is a member of the Caribbean Social Justice and Pro-Bono Lawyering Group ( CARIBONO), the CCJ Committee for Improving Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities and Amnesty International. She has been elected as a Senior Ordinary Member of the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and is the Co- Chair of its Human Rights Committee. Ria also serves on the Board of the Caribbean Center for Human Rights and the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority. She was recently crowned Mrs Universe Caribbean 2026, the first woman to hold that title.

Presenter

The Honourable Mr Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji

Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice

Taxation and Fiscal Law Panel

Presentation: Interpretation of Tax Legislation

Mr Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji was sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice on 15 April 2025, following his appointment on 27 January 2025. Born in Añara, Imo, Nigeria, he has had an extensive career in international law, judicial service, academia, and legal practice across multiple jurisdictions.

Before joining the CCJ, Mr Justice Eboe-Osuji served as President of the International Criminal Court from 2018 to 2021, having previously sat in both its Trial and Appeals Divisions. He also held senior legal roles with the United Nations, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and practised as a barrister in Canada and Nigeria.

He has held distinguished academic appointments at institutions including Toronto Metropolitan University, Stanford, UCLA, the University of Toronto, Harvard Kennedy School, and the University of Windsor. He holds law degrees from the University of Amsterdam, McGill University, and the University of Calabar, and has received several international honours in recognition of his contributions to law, justice, and scholarship.

Presenter

The Honourable Justice Dr Anthony Gafoor

Chairman and Chief Judge of the Tax Appeal Court of Trinidad and Tobago

Taxation and Fiscal Law Panel

Presentation: Corporate and Transactional Law: Recent Developments in Tax Law

The Honourable Justice Dr Anthony Gafoor is the Chief Judge of the Tax Appeal Court of Trinidad and Tobago and a Member of Prime Dispute Resolution. He is a highly qualified legal, tax, finance, and dispute resolution professional, holding multiple postgraduate qualifications including an LL.M with a focus on Taxation, an MA in Business Law, an M.Sc in Finance and Financial Law, an Advanced Diploma in International Taxation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation, UK, and Executive LL.M degrees in International Dispute Resolution from King’s College London and in Dispute Resolution from the University of Maharashtra, Mumbai. His academic work has included a focus on taxpayers’ rights as a human right, reflecting his wider interest in the intersection of tax law, international law, and fundamental rights.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, and has served as Immediate Past Chair of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Caribbean Branch and the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter. He is also the Honorary Secretary of the International Law Association, Caribbean Branch, and an Adjunct Lecturer in Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Faculty of Law, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

In addition to his judicial and dispute resolution work, Justice Dr Gafoor has held senior academic roles at The UWI, including in mediation studies, behavioural sciences, political science, international law, international law and development, regional integration law, and international negotiation. He is a published contributor to Taxpayers in International Law and co-author of The Jurisprudence of the Caribbean Court of Justice and Regional Integration, published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2024.

Presenter

Ms Angelique Bart

Attorney-at-Law, Territory Tax and Legal Services Leader/Partner, PwC Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana

Taxation and Fiscal Law Panel

Presentation: Tax Law Issues Come in Threes

Ms Angelique Bart is an Attorney-at-Law and is the Territory Tax and Legal Services Leader/Partner at PwC Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. She brings over 20 years of legal, business, and industry experience, and is admitted to practise law in both Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

Her practice focuses on tax advisory, tax compliance, corporate commercial law, and regulatory matters. She leads PwC’s Tax and Legal Services practice across Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, supporting clients across sectors including energy, manufacturing, financial services, retail and distribution, and large local and multinational enterprises.

Ms Bart advises on complex matters including cross-border transactions, corporate restructuring, inheritance and wealth taxation, indirect taxation, tax rulings, and tax dispute resolution. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School, holds a Diploma in Public Management from the University of Guyana, and is a member of the Trade and Investment Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago.

Presenter

Mr Miguel Vasquez

Attorney-at-Law, Partner at M. Hamel-Smith & Co.

Taxation and Fiscal Law Panel

Presentation: Withholding Tax in Trinidad and Tobago: The Modern Commercial Environment and the Developing Jurisprudence of the Tax Appeal Board

Miguel is an Attorney-at-law and Partner at the law firm, M. Hamel-Smith & Co. Miguel is in his tenth year in practice and has built a distinguished practice in corporate litigation and dispute resolution, tax litigation and appeals, and tax and legal planning. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Tax Law from King’s College London (2022).

Miguel is an Author and Correspondent for IBFD, one of the world’s pre-eminent and independent providers of cross-border tax expertise, the Author of LexisNexis Tolley’s Corporate Guide for Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the Legislative Committee of TTMA, and a member of the Rule of Law Committee at the AMCHAM. He has authored numerous publications on corporate law and tax, has conducted tax training on behalf of the ICATT, and has participated in several televised discussions on tax.

Presenter

Mr Jon Paul Mouttet

Attorney-at-Law, Head of the Energy and Tax Departments of Fitzwilliam, Stone, Furness-Smith & Morgan

Taxation and Fiscal Law Panel

Presentation: Artificiality: Is the bolted horse finally back in the stable?

Jon Paul serves as the Head of the Energy and Tax Departments of Fitzwilliam, Stone, Furness-Smith & Morgan.

He has over two decades of experience in the energy, tax, and commercial arenas and regularly advises on a myriad of issues facing these sectors. His clients include international and local companies involved in upstream oil and gas, petrochemicals, industrial and manufacturing processes, power generation (gas-powered and renewable), fuel trading, quarrying, energy services, and local conglomerates operating in various sectors.

In terms of tax, he advises on both contentious and non-contentious tax matters and regularly represents both local and international clients before the Tax Appeal Board. As a member of the Energy Chamber’s Fiscal Reform Taskforce, he also periodically contributes to proposals for energy tax reform.

Jon Paul holds an LL.M. from King’s College London in International Business Law and is called to the Bar in both Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Over the years he has contributed to various publications on energy, tax and other legal matters.

He holds a Band 1 rating from Chambers and Partners, World’s Leading Lawyers for Business and enjoys similar expert recognition from Leaders in Law and Global Law Experts.

Moderator

Senator Sophia Chote SC

Attorney-at-Law & Independent Senator

Criminal Law Panel

Ms Sophia Chote SC is a Senior Counsel and the Head of Alpha Chambers in Port of Spain, Trinidad. She was admitted to practise in Trinidad and Tobago in 1989 and was admitted to the Inner Bar in 2011. A graduate of King’s College, University of London, and the Hugh Wooding Law School, Ms Chote SC has built a distinguished legal career spanning private practice, public service, legal education, law reform, and institutional leadership.

Ms Chote SC served as President of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago from 2021 to 2023 and as Immediate Past President from 2023 to 2024. She has also served on various committees of the Law Association, including its Disciplinary Committee, and was formerly Convenor of its Publications Sub-Committee. Her regional and professional service includes her role as Bar Representative for Trinidad and Tobago on the Council of Legal Education and her former position as Vice-President of the Organisation of Caribbean Commonwealth Bar Associations.

In addition to her practice, Ms Chote SC has served as an Independent Senator in the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from 2015 to 2020 and again from 2025 to present. She has also contributed to the administration of justice and law reform through service on the Law Commission, the Mercy Committee, judiciary committees, and criminal justice reform initiatives. She has lectured and tutored at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Criminal Practice and Procedure and the Law of Evidence, and briefly sat as a Judge of the Supreme Court in 2000.

Ms Chote SC has also been active in civic life, media, and advocacy. She served for approximately ten years as an executive member of the Rape Crisis Society, contributed to several non-governmental organisations, and is a member of the Women Parliamentarians of Trinidad and Tobago. From 2015 to 2020, she wrote a weekly column for the Sunday Express and authored a brief biography of Sir Ellis Clarke QC for the Caribbean Court of Justice’s publication on legal legends.

Presenter

The Honourable Justice Mark Mohammed, J.A.

Justice of Appeal

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: DNA in Criminal Trials

Justice Mohammed is a former Open Island Scholarship Recipient. He was appointed DPP on July 31st, 1998, at the age of 35, then the youngest appointed DPP in the Commonwealth.

Justice Mohammed was awarded silk in 2001. Thereafter, he became a trial judge in the criminal courts, where he remained for eleven (11) years. In that position, Justice Mohammed presided over multiple complex and high-profile trials. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal bench in 2013 and has spent the last eleven (11) years as a Justice of Appeal.

Presenter

The Honourable Justice Gillian Lucky, J.A.

Justice of Appeal

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: Putting Sense in Sentencing

Justice Gillian Lucky is a Judge of the Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago and currently serves as the Chairman of the Judicial Education Institute. Justice Lucky previously served as a Senior State Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Junior Minister in the Office of the Attorney General, Member of Parliament, Director of the Police Complaints Authority and the Principal of the Academy of Tertiary Studies.

Justice Lucky promotes public legal education and leads seminars locally and in the Region on topics including robust case management, rules of evidence, financial crime prosecution and asset recovery.

Presenter

Mr David West

Director of the Police Complaints Authority

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: From Ballistics to Bytes Modernising Independent Oversight of Police-Involved Shootings in a Digital Age

Mr West graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School in 1996, after which he worked in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions until 1999, when he left to work in the Ministry of the Attorney General, Central Authority Unit.

Mr West is a former Head of the Central Authority Unit with over 10 years’ experience in extradition and mutual legal assistance. Mr West was also responsible for drafting the amendments to Trinidad and Tobago’s Extradition Act, 1985 (Act No. 12 of 2004).

Mr West was the Director Designate of the Financial Intelligence Unit from March 2010 up until 12th September 2010. He was a member of the Cabinet-appointed committee on Anti Money Laundering and, together with the other members, was responsible for drafting the Financial Intelligence Unit Act 2009, Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2009, the Anti-Terrorism Act 2010 and the Financial Obligations Regulations 2009. Mr West was Junior Counsel to Andrew Mitchell, Q.C., who prosecuted the first money laundering case in Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2011, Mr West earned the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation after passing the exam. This designation is recognised worldwide by financial institutions and government agencies as an indication of AML expertise.

In July 2015, Mr West was awarded the designation of Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS).

Mr West was in private practice during the period 2008-2014 in El Dorado Chambers, where the late Ms Dana Seetahal, SC, was Head of Chambers.

On the 7th November 2014, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago appointed Mr West Director of the Police Complaints Authority.

Presenter

Dr Alfredo Walker

Forensic Pathologist and Coroner

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: Common Expert Opinion Misconceptions in Forensic Pathology: Overview of the Limitations of Valid Expert Evidence for Legal Practitioners

Dr Alfredo E Walker is a registered category A (forensic) pathologist of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service who is based within its Eastern Ontario Regional Forensic Pathology Unit at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Prior to his current position, he was a Consultant Forensic Pathologist employed by the internationally renowned former UK government-owned Forensic Science Service Ltd, based at the Medicolegal Centre, Sheffield, England whilst being a registered Consultant Forensic Pathologist to the British Home Office. He was on the Home Secretary’s Register of Forensic Pathologists in England and Wales for 4.5 years and has the distinction of being the only Black person to attain this status.

He holds professional memberships of the UK Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine and the US National Association of Medical Examiners and was the Founding President of the Caribbean Association of Forensic Sciences. He also spearheaded the development of the Caribbean Medicolegal Society and is its Executive Director and convenes its annual symposia.

On September 24, 2022, he received the Hummingbird Medal Gold from the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for his “loyal and dedicated service” to forensic pathology throughout the Caribbean region and Trinidad and Tobago.

On the academic front, Dr Walker has been a very active author in the peer-reviewed forensic pathology literature. He has written four chapters in forensic pathology textbooks. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine and is a regular invited reviewer of manuscripts submitted to it and other academic journals for consideration of publication. He is an invited speaker at many of the large international conferences in forensic pathology, medicine and science.

Presenter

Mr Trevor Clarke

Deputy Chief Public Defender, Public Defender's Authority of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: Legal Aid- A Necessary Pillar in Criminal Proceedings

Mr Trevor Clarke was called to the Bar in 2011 and began work at the private Criminal Bar as a Defence Attorney, where he practised at the District, High Court and Appellate Courts of Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2017, he joined the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) as the Advocate Attorney, wherein he was responsible for representing the PCA before various courts in this jurisdiction and in addition to the supervision and management of several investigative teams comprising trained investigators and legal counsels.

Mr Clarke served as a Council member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) for 9 consecutive terms and was nominated as the Secretary of the Council in his last year, 2022. Notwithstanding his withdrawal as a Council member, he remained an active member of several committees and served as Convenor of the Compliance and Professional Standards Committee of LATT, whose responsibilities include overseeing applications for admission to practice law in this jurisdiction.

Mr Clarke joined the Public Defenders’ Department of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority on June 3, 2024, as the Deputy Chief Public Defender, a post which he continues to hold up to this day. The PDD is designed specifically to handle Criminal Assizes matters with the aim of ensuring that persons who are of small to moderate means and who would otherwise be unrepresented have quality and efficient legal representation throughout the pendency of their matter.

Moderator

Ms Lynette Seebaran Suite SC

President, Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago

Family Law / Domestic Violence

Lynette Seebaran Suite SC is an attorney at law and family practitioner with more than 40 years of experience in Family litigation. She is an activist and researcher in the women's movement and has championed many a campaign, including for the introduction of domestic violence and sexual offences legislation in Trinidad and Tobago.

She led the ASPIRE project for abortion law reform over 14 years from 1999 to 2013. Lynette was the recipient in 2012 of a National Award for Women in Development, Gold, in the field of Law.

She is past Chairman of the Port Authority and past Board Member of the Trinidad Publishing Company and the National Commission on the Status of Women. Lynette currently heads the law firm of Lynette Seebaran & Co. She is the former head of the Trinidad and Tobago Family Law Association and a former member of the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago. Lynette was also the Chairman of the Equal Opportunity Commission from 2014 to 2020.

For her services in advocacy and public education on gender and human rights for vulnerable groups, Lynette was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of the West Indies in November 2021. She is currently the President of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and has served in this capacity since 2023.

Presenter

The Honourable Madam Justice Sydelle Johnson

Judge of the High Court

Family Law (Domestic Violence) Panel

Presentation: Assessing the Efficacy of the Domestic Violence Regime in Trinidad and Tobago: Access, Accountability, and the Future of Protection

The Honourable Madam Justice Sydelle Johnson holds a Bachelors of Laws Degree (LLB) from the University of the West Indies, a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Hugh Wooding Law School and a Master of Laws in Human Rights Law from the University of London, Queen Mary University. She also holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Family Law and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public International Law.

Prior to Justice Johnson joining the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago, she was selected to participate in the United Nations 51st Graduate Study Programme in Geneva, Switzerland, where she obtained a certificate in Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. She also attained a one-year fellowship with the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. Justice Johnson was also an adult volunteer with the Court Annexed Peer Resolution Programme at the Children Court of Trinidad and Tobago. She is a certified Mediator in both Family Matters and Civil (Non-Family) Matters with the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago.

Justice Johnson is a member of the International Association of Women Judges and was named as one of their Rising Leaders in the 2023 Cohort. Justice Johnson is currently a board member of the Judicial Education Institute of Trinidad and Tobago and a Fellow of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute. Madame Justice Sydelle Johnson was appointed as a Puisne Judge of the High Court in Trinidad and Tobago on January 13, 2026.

Presenter

Ms Hazel Thompson-Ahye

Attorney-at-Law & Mediator

Family Law (Domestic Violence) Panel

Presentation: Assessing the Efficacy of the Domestic Violence Regime

Ms Hazel Thompson-Ahye is an attorney-at-law, mediator, and advocate for women’s and children’s rights with over four decades of experience in legal education, family law, child rights, and restorative justice. She holds an LL.B. (Hons.) from The University of the West Indies, a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School, an LL.M. with Merit in Family Law from the University of London, and an MSc in Restorative Practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices. Her professional development also includes specialized training in gender and development studies, social justice, mediation, and restorative justice.

Throughout her distinguished career, Ms Thompson-Ahye has served in several leadership and governance roles, including as a Board member of the Children’s Authority, Legal Aid and Advisory Authority, and St. Dominic’s Children’s Home. She was Director of the Legal Aid Clinic at Hugh Wooding Law School for 14 years and Senior Tutor at Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas for 10 years. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to legal education, she received the Council of Legal Education Award for Outstanding Service in 2012.

A founding member and Chair of the Child Rights and Restorative Justice Organisation (CRARJO), Ms Thompson-Ahye is also Vice President of the International Society of Family Law (ISFL). She was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) in 2018 for loyal and devoted service to Trinidad and Tobago in public service and youth development. From 2018 to 2025, she served as an Independent Senator in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago and has published and presented extensively on family law, child rights, women’s rights, and restorative justice at local, regional, and international forums.

Presenter

Ms Denelle Singh

Attorney-at-Law

Family Law (Domestic Violence) Panel

Presentation: The Domestic Violence Act - The Abuse and Misuse

Having been called to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago in 2016, Denelle's initial five (5) years of practice were spent at Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago practising in the area of children law. Denelle has diversified her private practice, however, her passion remains deep rooted in advocating for victims of domestic violence and children in need of care and protection, ensuring that a balance is struck between the law and victims.

Denelle has served as Secretary of the Family Law Association and is also called to the bar in the British Virgin Islands. She has served as Associate Tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School teaching upcoming attorneys.

Presenter

Ms Adeisha Pierre

Attorney-at-Law

Family Law (Domestic Violence) Panel

Presentation: Dismantling Silos: A Comparative Analysis of Risk-Based Offender Models in Domestic Violence Response

Adeisha Pierre is a multifaceted attorney and performing arts professional who uniquely bridges legal advocacy with cultural engagement. Called to the Bar in 2018, she graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and Hugh Wooding Law School, and now specialises in family law, backed by training from the Operational Safe Space domestic violence initiative.

Beyond the courtroom, Miss Pierre is an accomplished actor, vocalist, and musician trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a World Championship of Performing Arts multi-medal winner. As a Drama Resident with the Tobago Performing Arts Company, she currently represents Trinidad and Tobago globally with notable performances at CARIFESTA, Tobago Day, NYC and New York’s Times Square.

Moderator

Ms Ria Mohammed

Attorney-at-Law

Labour Law Panel

Ria is an attorney- at- law in The Chambers of Mr Rolston F. Nelson, S.C. She is also a consultant in the Tax and Legal Services Department at PwC Trinidad and Tobago. Ria holds a Bachelor of Laws, First Class Honours (UWI Cave Hill), a Legal Education Certificate of Merit ( Hugh Wooding Law School) and a Master of Laws (Harvard Law School). She has been called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago and to the Bar of Guyana. Her work has been widely published in local, regional and international law journals.

Ria has a keen interest in the rights of persons with disabilities, domestic violence and women’ s rights. She is a member of the Caribbean Social Justice and Pro-Bono Lawyering Group ( CARIBONO), the CCJ Committee for Improving Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities and Amnesty International. She has been elected as a Senior Ordinary Member of the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and is the Co- Chair of its Human Rights Committee. Ria also serves on the Board of the Caribbean Center for Human Rights and the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority. She was recently crowned Mrs Universe Caribbean 2026, the first woman to hold that title.

Presenter

Mr Kerwyn Garcia SC

Attorney-at-Law

Labour Law Panel

Presentation: S.10(3) of the IRA after recent Court of Appeal Cases: Broad Powers, Real Limits and Unresolved Tensions

His Excellency Kerwyn Garcia SC is an Advocate Attorney-at-Law, in his thirty-sixth year of practice. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (Bachelor of Laws Degree, 1991) and of the Hugh Wooding Law School (Legal Education Certificate, 1993).

Following his graduation from Law School, he joined the law firm Fitzwilliam, Stone, Furness-Smith & Morgan as an Associate in the Litigation Department. He was admitted as a Partner at the firm in January of 2000.

In February of 2003, he resigned from his partnership to set up his independent Advocate’s practice. He was appointed Senior Counsel in May 2023.

Presenter

Ms Vanessa Gopaul

Attorney-at-Law

Labour Law Panel

Presentation: S.10(3) of the IRA after recent Court of Appeal Cases: Broad Powers, Real Limits and Unresolved Tensions

Presenter

Mr Anthony Bullock

Attorney-at-Law

Labour Law Panel

Presentation: S.10(3) of the IRA after recent Court of Appeal Cases: Broad Powers, Real Limits and Unresolved Tensions

Anthony Bullock is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (LLB Hons- 2001) and the Hugh Wooding Law School (LEC-2003).

He has been in private practice at Chancery Chambers since 2003. He has a civil practice, with emphasis on labour and employment law and public law.

As a labour and employment law practitioner, he regularly advises workers, trade unions and employers.

He has also appeared for trade unions and employers before the Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal.

Presenter

Mr Raphael Ajodhia

Attorney-at-Law

Labour Law Panel

Presentation: S.10(3) of the IRA after recent Court of Appeal Cases: Broad Powers, Real Limits and Unresolved Tensions

Raphael Ajodhia was called to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago in November, 2013 and in Antigua and Barbuda in February, 2018. He practices all aspects of civil litigation, including but not limited to commercial and labour disputes. He has appeared as Counsel and Junior Counsel before the High Court, Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, Caribbean Court of Justice and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, as well as the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.

Presenter

Ms Tracell Frederick

Attorney-at-Law

Labour Law Panel

Presentation: Regulating AI in Legal Practice: Labour Rights, Professional Accountability, and Workforce Resilience in Uncertain Times

Tracell Frederick is an Attorney-at-Law and Procurement Manager at Avasant, specializing in corporate sourcing and cybersecurity. Seamlessly integrating her legal qualifications with a Master’s degree in Computer Science specializing in Cybersecurity, she uniquely navigates the intersection of law, technology, and risk. A champion of corporate responsibility, Tracell participated in the United Nations Global Compact’s Business & Human Rights Accelerator Programme, focusing on embedding international labour standards and robust human rights due diligence into supply chains and corporate practices.

Outside of her professional achievements, Tracell is a professional cellist and violinist.

Moderator & Presenter

Ms Salma Rahaman

Attorney-at-Law, Arbitrator & Mediator

Trending Topics in Civil Law Panel

The Singapore Convention on Mediation: The Importance for Its Adoption by Trinidad and Tobago

Salma Rahaman is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School with a full career in private practice in various areas, including Civil and Commercial Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation, Conveyancing and Family Law.

She is a former Partner of the firm of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide & Jacelon and has now transitioned to an Independent Practitioner/Consultant primarily in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Salma was a member of the DRC Arbitration Committee, which made recommendations to modernise the legal framework for Arbitration in Trinidad and Tobago and contributed to the work leading up to the passage of the Trinidad and Tobago Arbitration Act No. 11 of 2023.

Salma is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a CEDR Accredited Mediator [London]. She is the Chair of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is actively involved in initiatives geared towards promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution in the commercial sphere of Trinidad and Tobago.

Presenter

Mr Anil V. Maraj

Attorney-at-Law

Trending Topics in Civil Law Panel

Presentation: Embracing New Frontiers in Corporate Law: The Caribbean Court of Justice's Rejection of Prest v Petrodel and the Future of Corporate Veil Doctrine in the Commonwealth Caribbean

Anil V. Maraj is an Attorney-at-Law practising from One Chancery Courtyard Chambers in Port of Spain, with nearly two decades at the independent Bar specialising in company and commercial law. He advises corporate clients on transactions, tax, restructuring, and governance, provides corporate litigation services, and appears before courts and tribunals at every level in various jurisdictions. He holds directorships in two commercial companies, bringing a boardroom perspective to his legal practice, and previously served as a Chairman in the insurance sector.

A background as a Chartered Accountant, an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers and analyst at BP underpins his expertise, complemented by his role as an academic teaching at various tertiary level institutions.

Presenter

Senator Dr Margaret Rose

Attorney-at-Law, Senior Partner at Satya Juris Chambers

Trending Topics in Civil Law Panel

Dr Margaret Satya Rose is Senior Partner at Satya Juris: Counsels for Cause, a boutique firm specialising in public procurement, probity and corporate crime. She also serves as Chief Executive of Procurement Compliance Plus, dedicated to building the intelligence layer for modern public procurement governance. With over three decades of legal experience, she is recognised across the Caribbean as a leading authority on public procurement law.

Her doctoral research at the University of Bath examined the geopolitical and philosophical foundations of modern procurement governance, and she remains a firm advocate for regional ownership of the discipline.

Moderator & Presenter

Mr Ravi Rajcoomar SC

Attorney-at-Law, Head of Invictus Chambers

FATF/ AML Panel

Presentation: The Recent Changes in FATF/AML Legislation as they Affect the Legal Profession

Mr Ravi V. Rajcoomar SC is a distinguished attorney-at-law and the Head of Invictus Chambers. Called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 1987 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2023, he brings nearly four decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation. His practice has included appearances before the Magistrates’ Court, Industrial Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and courts in other jurisdictions, including Barbados, Antigua, and the United States. He has acted as instructing attorney, junior counsel, and lead counsel in a wide range of matters, including serious criminal trials, fraud, money laundering, land disputes, judicial review, and appellate proceedings.

Beyond his courtroom practice, Mr Rajcoomar SC has contributed significantly to the development of the legal profession in Trinidad and Tobago. He has served as a Commissioner of the Securities Exchange Commission and the Law Commission, lectured at the Hugh Wooding Law School and the University of the West Indies, and participated in several committees of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago. He has also contributed to legal scholarship through publications, including work on money laundering, and has provided guidance and support to students, newly admitted attorneys, and members of the profession. He currently serves as Chairman of Presidential Insurance Company.

Presenter

Ms Kaylia Toney

Barrister-at-Law & Solicitor

FATF/ AML Panel

Presentation: Guarding the Guardians of the Caribbean Legal Profession: From Privilege to Compliance in AML Regulation

Kaylia Toney is a Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). She serves as Legal Counsel at the SVG Financial Intelligence Unit, where she advises on antimoney laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CFT), and counter-proliferation financing (CPF) matters. Her work focuses on strengthening national compliance frameworks and supporting SVG’s international AML/CFT obligations.

A 2024 Chevening Scholar, Kaylia holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Regulation and Compliance, with specialization in Data Protection and Information Security. Her professional interests include cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, and the regulation of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.

Presenter

Ms Kylene Dowden

Attorney-at-Law & Director, Legal Services at the FIUTT

FATF/ AML Panel

Presentation: Guarding the Gatekeepers: Recalibrating AML/CFT/CPF Obligations and Legal Professional Privilege in the Legal Profession’s Next Frontier

Ms Kylene Dowden is an Attorney-at-Law with over 18 years' experience spanning both the public and private sectors, including more than 13 years advancing AML/CFT/CPF frameworks across key competent authorities. As Director, Legal Services at the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago, she provides strategic legal guidance on complex regulatory issues and plays a pivotal role in shaping legislative reform. Her work has significantly strengthened alignment with FATF Recommendations, including reforms in administrative sanctions, DNFBP supervision, and proliferation financing frameworks.

She actively contributes to national policy through key AML/CFT/CPF committees and National Risk Assessment initiatives. Ms Dowden holds an M.Sc. in International Finance and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.

Moderator

Mr John Heath SC

Attorney-at-Law, Allum Chambers

Criminal Law Panel

Presenter

Master Sarah De Silva

Master of the High Court

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: AJIPA - A Judicial Insight into Pre-Trial Adjudication: Efficiency, Evidential Sufficiency and Procedural Integrity

Master Sarah Victoria De Silva is a Master of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago, a former Magistrate and State Counsel at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (Hons) from the University of London, a Legal Education Certificate of Merit from the Hugh Wooding Law School, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with Distinction, specialising in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, and an Advanced Certificate in International Criminal Law and International Co-operation.

Master De Silva was admitted to practice in 2009. She pioneered the implementation of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act (AJIPA), conducting Trinidad and Tobago’s first Sufficiency Hearing.

Presenter

Mr Rajiv Persad SC

Attorney-at-Law, Head of Allum Chambers

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: Bail in Murder Matters

Rajiv Persad SC is Head of Allum Chambers based in Trinidad and Tobago, where he specialises in a wide array of litigation.

As a practitioner, he has featured in many cases involving commercial and tort law, extradition, constitutional law, human rights, judicial review, as well as a significant number of complex criminal trials and appeals.

He is a member of the Bars of Antigua, Grenada, Guyana, the British Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr Persad has done temporary stints on the bench serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago (2009), Grenada (2013), St Vincent (2014), the British Virgin Islands (2013 & 2018, 2019, 2024 and 2025), Montserrat (2020), Turks and Caicos Islands (2025), and Antigua (2026).

He has served on the Integrity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago as Deputy Chairman, on the Law Association as Vice President, and as a member of the Police Service Commission.

He is an associate Tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School, where he has lectured on courses in Criminal Procedure and the Law of Evidence. He has been invited on several occasions to present papers for judges, magistrates, and members of the Bar at Seminars within the Region, including Trinidad and Tobago, the Eastern Caribbean, Barbados, Antigua, Guyana and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He is the author of the chapter on the “Judicial Committee of the Privy Council” in “Taylor on Appeals” and has written papers in a number of publications on topics involving Public Law and other Criminal Justice Issues.

Presenter

Mr Colin Denoon

Attorney-at-Law

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: Reforming the Provocation Defence

Colin Denoon is an Attorney-at-Law who practices areas in the areas of criminal law, family law; corporate law and the law of succession. He is the author of The Entrepreneurial Lawyer of the Future. Colin is also a member of the Publications Committee of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

Presenter

Mr Peter Carter

Attorney-at-Law

Criminal Law Panel

Presentation: Justice Deferred, Childhood Denied, A Jurisprudential Critique of the Children's Court of Trinidad and Tobago Six Years On

Peter Carter is a litigation attorney with over ten years of experience practising in Trinidad and Tobago. Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2012, he holds an LLB (Honours) from the University of Warwick, a BPTC from the College of Law and a LEC from the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Peter specialises in criminal, civil, immigration, public, and constitutional law, with appearances at all court levels including the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. A tenant at Locus Laboris Chambers, he has served on the 35th and 36th LATT Councils and presented at the 2024 LATT Biennial Law Conference.

Moderator

Ms Lesley-Ann-Lucky-Samaroo SC

Chairperson, Trinidad and Tobago Family Law Association and Commissioner of the RJLSC

Family Law

Ms Lesley-Ann Lucky Samaroo SC has over 35 years’ experience in commercial, corporate and civil litigation, family and matrimonial law, labour and trade disputes, medical negligence litigation, revenue law, and advisory work for private and state institutions. She married in 1989 and has two daughters.

She attended the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus from 1981 to 1983, and graduated with her LLB (Hons). She attended the Hugh Wooding Law School between 1983 and 1985, where she obtained her Legal Education Certificate. She was admitted to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago on 14th October 1985 as a Barrister and has been in private practice since.

She currently practices at Ithaca House, with a primary focus on civil and family law. She has done family matters from the Magistrate’s Court to the Privy Council and, in May 2023, was appointed as Senior Counsel.

She has served as the Chairperson of the Trinidad and Tobago Family Law Association since 2024 and is a former long-standing member of the Council of the LATT. Ms Lucky-Samaroo SC was appointed as a Commissioner of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) in November 2025. She also serves as a member of the Chief Justice's Rules Committee.

Presenter

Ms Nadiya Gower de Chabert

Attorney-at-Law

Family Law Panel

Presentation: Approaches to Valuations in Family Law

Nadiya Gower de Chabert is a Senior Associate at Lynette Seebaran & Company with 13 years of legal experience, including 8 years specializing in family law. She was a presenter at the inaugural Law Conference in 2024, reflecting her recognized expertise in the field and commitment to advancing family law practice in Trinidad and Tobago.

Presenter

Ms Saira Lakhan

President of the Assembly of Southern Lawyers & Managing Partner of Magnus Attorneys-at-Law

Family Law Panel

Presentation: Lifting the Corporate Veil in the Family Court: Disclosure, Companies, and the Limits of Financial Transparency in Ancillary Relief Proceedings

Ms Saira Lakhan is the Managing Partner of Magnus Attorneys-at-Law and a senior Attorney-at-Law with over fifteen years of experience appearing before the High Court, Court of Appeal, Family Court, Industrial Court of Trinidad and Tobago and the UKPC. She has represented a diverse range of clients, including State agencies, statutory authorities, commercial entities, and private individuals across a broad spectrum of practice areas, with particular experience in family law, civil litigation, industrial relations, company law, insurance matters, and alternative dispute resolution.

Ms Lakhan holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, a Legal Education Certificate (Hons) from the Hugh Wooding Law School, where she graduated on the Principal Roll of Honour, and a Master of Business Administration (Merit) from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. She is also a Certified Family Mediator, Certified Civil Mediator, Arbitrator, and Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Her commitment to the legal profession extends beyond practice. Ms Lakhan currently serves as President of the Assembly of Southern Lawyers, a Member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and an Executive Member of the Family Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago. She has also served on the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and contributes to several professional committees focused on legal reform, publications, and procedural development.

A recognised speaker and educator, Ms Lakhan has presented on numerous family law and dispute resolution topics, including cohabitational awards, matrimonial injunctions, the intersection of company law and family proceedings, and sexual harassment legislation. She is particularly passionate about advancing the development of family law practice in Trinidad and Tobago through education, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution.

Presenter

Ms Afreen Mohammed-Khan

Attorney-at-Law

Family Law Panel

Presentation: The Changing Face of the Family: Elder Abuse, Immigrant Marriages, Nikkah, Same Sex Unions and Online Dating

Afreen I. Mohammed-Khan was called to the Bar in 1992 and brings over three decades of experience to the legal profession. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, a Diploma in International Relations from the University of the West Indies, a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Southampton, and a Legal Education Certificate from the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School.

After beginning her career at the Deposit Insurance Corporation from 1992 to 1995, Ms. Mohammed-Khan entered private practice in Tunapuna, where she has practised since 1995. Her areas of practice include civil law, family law, conveyancing, and probate. She has also contributed to the legal profession through service as Secretary of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago from 1999 to 2001 and as an Executive Member of the Eastern Lawyers Association for the 2022–2026 term.

Moderator

Mr Anand Singh

Attorney-at-Law

Artificial Intelligence Panel

Presenter

Mr Reagan Rowans

Attorney-at-Law & Principal/ Senior Lecturer, ILAS

Artificial Intelligence Panel

Presentation: Judge Hercules and AI in Caribbean Courts: Enhancing Judicial Accountability

Mr. Reagan Rowans is Principal and Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Law and Academic Studies (ILAS), with 19 years of legal teaching experience. He is an Attorney-at-Law of 17 years and serves as a Senior Ordinary Member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s 40th Council. Mr. Rowans also tutored at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and is an Associate tutor at Hugh Wooding Law School.

His work spans legal education, rights advocacy, legislative reform, and international treaty development. He is Founder and Director of InvicJus Law Institute and is currently pursuing a PhD in Law at The UWI. His chief research interests are legal philosophy, constitutionalism and rights.

Presenter

Mr Christopher George

Attorney-at-Law

Artificial Intelligence Panel

Presentation: Hallucinations, Prompts, and Precedent: the C.L.E.A.R. Protocol for Reliable AI Augmented Legal Reasoning in Caribbean Jurisprudence

Christopher is a dedicated professional with a strong track record in both public and private sector leadership. A qualified Attorney-at-Law currently running his own law practice and a former Engineer, Christopher brings a unique blend of analytical thinking, discipline, and strategic planning to every role. With over a decade of experience across industries—including law, energy, and governance—he is committed to building transparent, effective systems that serve the people.

An Olympian Judoka, Christopher proudly represented Trinidad and Tobago on the world stage, and at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, demonstrating the discipline, resilience, and competitive spirit that continue to define his leadership today. His background in elite sport fuels his passion for youth development, national pride, and fair opportunity for all.

He currently serves as the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Gymnastics Federation (TTGF), where he leads the strategic direction of gymnastics in the country. Under his stewardship, the TTGF has prioritised athlete development, transparent governance, and greater stakeholder engagement, helping to elevate the standard and visibility of the sport nationally and regionally.

A lifelong advocate for development, equity, and accountability, Christopher believes in servant leadership and fostering meaningful connections across all levels of the organisation. Known for integrity, professionalism, and a results-driven approach, he is ready to contribute to a stronger, more united party that reflects the aspirations of its members and the nation.

Presenter

Ms Ashley Singh

Attorney-at-Law

Artificial Intelligence Panel

Presentation: Contracted into the Unknown: Vendor AI, Data Sovereignty and the Unregulated Frontier of Public Procurement in Trinidad and Tobago

Ashley Singh is an Attorney-at-Law specialising in Digital Law, Cybersecurity, and technology governance in Caribbean jurisdictions. She previously served as Legal Counsel at the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, where she worked on legislative reform and international legal policy, and has also practised in public procurement litigation. Ashley holds an LL.M. in Digital Law and Cybersecurity.

Her work focuses on the legal and constitutional implications of AI integration in public-sector governance, including data sovereignty, institutional accountability, and emerging regulatory frameworks across Caribbean governments today.

Presenter

Ms Rachel Welch-Phillips

Attorney-at-Law

Artificial Intelligence Panel

Presentation: The Algorithm has no Silk: Lessons from the Global Regulation of Artificial Intelligence for the Legal Profession of the Caribbean

Rachel Welch-Phillips is a banking and finance lawyer, governance professional and sustainability/ESG specialist. At ANSA McAL, she is responsible for managing the legal, corporate governance, and sustainability portfolios for the Banking Sector across Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. She is a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales and an attorney-at-law of the Supreme Courts of Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados.

Rachel has worked extensively in sustainable finance, including advising on the Blue Bond for Ocean Conservation issued by the Government of Barbados to support marine environment conservation, as well as advising the Government of the Republic of Ecuador on their sovereign debt-for-nature swap for marine conservation in the Galapagos Islands.

Presenter

Mr Nicholas Sant

Attorney-at-Law

Artificial Intelligence Panel

Presentation: The Algorithm has no Silk: Lessons from the Global Regulation of Artificial Intelligence for the Legal Profession of the Caribbean

Nicholas Sant is a Litigation Attorney in Trinidad and Tobago with experience in civil and commercial litigation at both the High Court and appellate levels. His practice has involved the care and control of complex legal disputes, including contractual disputes, debt recovery, insurance and reinsurance and commercial claims of varying natures.

Nicholas currently serves as Legal Counsel, Debt Recovery – Banking, at ANSA Merchant Bank Limited, where he provides litigation, advisory, and research functions to the Banking Group.

Moderator

Ms Dawn Palackdharry Singh

Attorney-at-Law

The Business of Law and the Pursuit of Justice/ Niche Areas Panel

Dawn Palackdharry Singh is an Attorney-at-Law with over 24 years of experience. A graduate of the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School, she established her private practice in Tobago with her office located in Scarborough. She operates a successful practice and has experience primarily in civil litigation, family law and estates. Ms Palackdharry Singh’s office has served as the training ground for several Attorneys over the years.

She is also the President of the Tobago Lawyers Association and a Senior Ordinary Member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

Presenter

Ms Deborah Moore-Miggins

Attorney-at-Law

The Business of Law and the Pursuit of Justice/ Niche Areas Panel

Presentation: Running Your Law Practice as a Business - Profits to Paralysis

Deborah Moore-Miggins was called to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar on 4th July 1980. She holds an LL.B degree, (1st Class Honours), from the U.W.I., and the L.E.C., from the HWLS. In 1981 she obtained an LL.M Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, Canada, specializing in corporate and international law.

Mrs Moore-Miggins established her law practice in Tobago in 1982, and provides legal services in diverse areas of law.

In 1992, she was awarded the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship by the U.S government.

She is currently a Board member of the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority.

Presenter

Dr Lawrence Joseph

Barrister & Attorney-at-Law

The Business of Law and the Pursuit of Justice/ Niche Areas Panel

Presentation: How The Judgments in The Maurice Bishop Murder Trials Greatly Enhanced The Dynamism of Caribbean Jurisprudence

Dr Lawrence Albert Joseph was born in Grenada and is married to Lady Avril Anande Trotman Joseph. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The University of the West Indies in 1970 and later qualified as a Barrister-at-Law at Lincoln’s Inn, London, in 1977.

Dr Joseph has had a distinguished career in law, public service, and parliamentary leadership. He served as a Magistrate from 1979 to 1984, President of the Senate from 1984 to 1988 and again from 2013 to 2014, and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2008. He also served as Attorney General and Cabinet Minister in various portfolios in Grenada between 1995 and 2003.

In addition to his public service, Dr Joseph pursued advanced legal scholarship, earning an LLM in 2006 and a PhD in Constitutional Law from the University of London in 2012. In recognition of his distinguished contribution to Grenada, he was awarded the Commander of the British Empire in 2015 and the Knight Commander of the Nation in 2016.

Presenter

Professor Emeritus Winston H.E. Suite

Retired Professor of Civil Engineering

The Business of Law and the Pursuit of Justice/ Niche Areas Panel

Presentation: Legal Implications of UN Resolution on Reparations for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Professor Winston Herbert Edward Suite is Professor Emeritus of Engineering at both the University of the West Indies and the University of Trinidad and Tobago. His first degree is in Special Physics, and his post-doctoral Master’s thesis at the University of the West Indies is entitled Contract Law in the Construction Sector. Professor Suite is the Chairman of Umrobi and was a black power activist and detainee under the 1970 States of Emergency. Professor Suite has trained almost the entire cohort of regional engineers in Project Management during his lengthy career.

Professor Suite has acted as an arbitrator in the construction sector and has headed various statutory bodies including PTSC, Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, NIDCO and the National Trust. His current research and lecturing activities center on professional ethics, Caribbean and African History and the progress of the successive worldwide industrial revolutions. A true polymath, more laterally he has been researching and lecturing on reparations for the descendants of the trans-atlantic slave trade.

Moderator

Senator Anthony Vieira SC

Attorney-at-Law, Mediator & Independent Senator

Human Rights/ Refugees Panel

Mr. Anthony D. Vieira SC is an Independent Senator in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago and has been a practising attorney-at-law since 1983. His legal practice has spanned civil, industrial, family and criminal law, and he is also a certified advanced commercial mediator.

He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies Faculty of Law, the Hugh Wooding Law School and the Institute of International Relations. His professional experience includes serving as senior crown counsel in the British Virgin Islands, where he prosecuted serious criminal offences and worked on the regulation of offshore financial services.

Mr. Vieira SC has served on numerous national and professional committees, with particular involvement in telecommunications, mediation, ethics, intellectual property, the creative industries and climate change. He has also acted as counsel to performing artistes and as legal counsel to the National Carnival Bands Association.

Presenter

Ms Michelle Solomon-Baksh

Deputy Director of the Police Complaints Authority

Human Rights/ Refugees Panel

Presentation: Blueprint for Oversight that Listens: Policy Lessons and Operational Strategies from the PCA’s Response to Migrant Complaints in Trinidad and Tobago

Michelle Solomon-Baksh is the Deputy Director of the Police Complaints Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, where she leads investigations into serious police misconduct, corruption, and criminal offenses by law enforcement. With over two decades of legal experience as a senior criminal law practitioner, she provides strategic oversight, inter-agency guidance, and legal review on matters of public trust and institutional accountability.

She also serves as Course Director for Criminal Practice and Procedure at the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas, where she has taught for the past three years. Her leadership extends across institutional reform, curriculum design, and rights-based advocacy.

Presenter

Mr Roshan Ramcharitar

Attorney-at-Law & Tutor, Hugh Wooding Law School

Human Rights/ Refugees Panel

Presentation: Whither the Alternative Remedy? Examining the Alternative Remedy Bar 46 Years Post-Harrikissoon

Roshan Ramcharitar is a full-time Tutor at the Hugh Wooding Law School, Legal Aid Clinic. There he practices in a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, supervises students in their clinical training, and facilitates the Public Law Specialist Clinic.

He is a tutor in the course Ethics, Rights and Obligations of the Legal Profession and has also tutored law at the UWI. He holds an LLM in Public Law and his experience includes serving as a Judicial Research Assistant in the High Court and State Counsel in the Solicitor General’s Chambers.

Presenter

Ms Gina Maharaj

Attorney-at-Law, Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR)

Human Rights/ Refugees Panel

Presentation: TT's Legal Duty to Honour its Obligations Under the Convention and Protocol Relating to Status of Refugees

Gina Maharaj is an attorney-at-law and humanitarian professional with over eight years of experience in international refugee protection. She has worked with international organisations, civil society, and both the public and private sectors, notably the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Living Water Community (LWC) and the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), where she currently works as a Legal Consultant.

Gina was called in 2014 and holds an L.E.C from Hugh Wooding Law School, an LL.M in Public International Law from the University of Kent and an LL.B. from the University of the West Indies.

Vote of Thanks

Ms Elena Da Silva

Attorney-at-Law, Senior Ordinary Member of the Council of the LATT

Elena Da Silva, Attorney-at-Law, was admitted to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 2013 and has over a decade of experience in civil, commercial and recovery litigation. Ms. Da Silva previously served in the Solicitor General’s Department as State Counsel currently practises at Allum Chambers, where she conducts High Court and Court of Appeal litigation with a focus on commercial disputes, enforcement proceedings, employment matters and strategic pre-action litigation. She also holds a Masters of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of the West Indies.

She serves as a Senior Ordinary Member of the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Ms. Da Silva actively participates in the work of the Association through its committees, where she serves as Chair of the Member Affairs Committee, is a member of the Human Rights Committee, and is a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Policy on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.